10 Features of the World’s Most Impressive Piston-Engine Aeroplane, the Incredible Republic XF-12 Rainbow Spyplane

I think I'm in love!

In 1943, the USAAF desperately needed an aircraft that could fly a vast distance, penetrate the Japanese Empire's defence, outrun fighters, perform vital reconnaissance of the heartland and then fly back. This was a very tall order in 1943, even more so when the USAAF demanded a 400mph aeroplane capable of prolonged flight at 40,000 feet. This was the first time a reconnaissance aircraft was designed from scratch, not a converted fighter or bomber, but a modern dedicated camera platform incorporating all the latest technical advances. This was a new game, and manufacturers cock-blocked from the heavy aircraft market now stood a chance. Republic, creator of the incredible P-47, leapt at the opportunity to compete for this potentially lucrative opportunity. The result was the superb Republic Rainbow, the most impressive piston-engine aircraft ever flown.

10. Empire of pane

Long before Concorde used its famous 'droopsnoot' to exchange high-speed aerodynamics for a better view for the pilot during landing, the Rainbow had a similar solution. Like the earlier B-29, the Rainbow had a nose of curved glass panes. While B-29 crews loved the curved glazed nose for the unobstructed view in flight and its low drag, they hated the fact that it cast dangerously distracting reflections during landing. Designer Kartveli (the genius behind the P-47) was keen to avoid the B-29's problem, and his solution was to make the curved sections of glass in the nose slide out of the way when not required, revealing a flat windscreen.

9. Obscene speed

Very few piston-engined aircraft exceeded 450mph, even fewer could exceed 470mph. The only piston-engined aircraft (other than heavily modified racers) that have reached 470 mph were: the F4U-5, Ta 152H, Hornet, Do 335, P-47M, XP-82, Fury/Sea Fury, Spiteful, P-51H, XP-72 and XP-47J. The Rainbow is quite unlike the other aircraft, which are all fighters and mostly single-engined radials. The Rainbow was the fastest four piston aircraft ever to fly.

8. Obscene Climbrate